Dick Tracy by Mike Curtis and Charles Ettinger for April 15, 2015

Owen Carmac Desmond. The depiction looks like a real person. Not familiar with the name, but, being a foamer, can we assume that he is associated with our own esteemed Sgt. Jim Doherty? Quite the honor, if it is so.

Good morning fellow DT fans!

Nice sense of space today.

Up early today, VistaBill?

According to the Urban Dictionary, “Foamer” is a term used by railway workers – In a disparaging fashion – To describe train fans.

It seems roughly analogous in use to the Japanese word “Otaku” in regards to Anime fans.

There was a minor character in Charles Shulz’ Peanuts named Cormac, by the way.

And we are all FanBoys on this bus.

In some areas the term is “foamer.” On the railroad I just retired from, the term heard more often is “FRN,” for “f’in’ rail nut.” “Railfan” and “rail buff” are also heard, but not as much. It’s always fun to go to the big train show in West Springfield MA every year and run into the loudest denouncers of buffs, fans, foamers and FRNs there. They tend to shrink into corners while mumbling, “But my wife’s cousin’s sister’s friend needed a ride up here, and I’m off today…” Rail buff is the most neutral term; foamer and especially FRN have undertones of “liable to do something stupid/unsafe.”

Desmond’s initials suggest he might be rather obsessive. And compulsive.

It’s hat day!

Morning, Tracyville!

Why are they meeting inside the tunnel?

You’d think a billion dollar railroad car would be relatively easy to guard and track.

Owen Cormac Desmond is being OCD his character trait?

“Owen Carmac Desmond” , O C D ….

Woo-Hoo Finally decided on an avatar. So impressed with the image a couple of days ago I PS’d the balloon out and here it is. Left the artists name as credit is due of course.

Assistant State’s Attorney, “foamer,” and likely OCD-afflicted Owen Cormac Desmond seems not to be a real person under that name. Nor can I readily find any “coincidentally” similar person under another name. But, yes, the face does seem rather specific, as for that matter does the vestment. I’d guess the character is based on someone known to some member of Team Tracy in Real Life….As for his part in the this arc, chances are he will have been a witness to some or all of the Great Gold Car Heist and will provide crucial evidence to Tracy.

Since “foamer” is obviously such a negative term, it feels a little “off” to have Tracy refer to his friend that way. I wish he had just said “railfan” – that term has been around a long, long time. There was even a magazine published by that name. (Not sure if it still is around – Trains Magazine is the big one). “Foamer” is a relatively new term. Some railroad workers appreciate respectful fans, and some don’t. And a surprising number of employees are “fans” themselves, some having model train set-ups at home, etc.I think fans could help their cause by always being safe, respectful, and not acting like they know more than the employees do.

I think foamers are railroad fans (or fanatics.lol).

I think it’s great to have so many aficionados of the rail around! When I first saw the word pop out of Tracy’s mouth, I thought he meant a beer fan. That’s how far off I am! Anyway, thanks, guys; I think we all are about to learn something here!

Interesting how “…and a foamer.” is in quotes.

Good morning everyone.______@RailScout: thanks for the good info.______Be happy and healthy my friends.

Owen the Foamer???We’ll know more later..

I’m surprised a man with rabies is allowed to be a US attorney.-—————-Glad to see I’m not the only one to connect ‘foamers’ with rabies.

I wonder if it’s just a coincidence that his initials are O.C D.

The art and stories just keeps getting better and better.

Well, at least Owen the foamer (or railfan) is likely to know all about the tunnel and the configuration of the tracks and other such information that will help to reconstruct the crime. I’m learning a lot from the comments today.

In Houston, it used to be that when an Astro hit a Grand Slam, it meant free beer for the rest of the game. They called it a “foamer”. Needless to say, it was a pretty safe bet, considering the Astros. However, when it did happen, and all 1,500 fans at the game got out in the streets, the Houston PD had their hands full! No more ’foamers" for the Astros!

OOh now the sleuths are at work? Three days after the big news came on newspaper?Not to say on TV or on the Web. They have the Web, there? Or are we in new Slobbovia? Jeez!

The sleuths in here have been at work since before the robbery.

Well, you’ll recall that Tracy was already half-expecting a robbery even before it happened, too. Both Tracy and Sam gathered information from informants saying that everyone in town was trying to figure out how to rob that train.

“Or, maybe they’re fans of “rabid” transit? "Now, that’s funny!

Today, here is Piggy Bank (aka Pig E, Bank) for those that might not clearly recall him . . .

Our thanks again to keen reader boboscar who’d “fingered him”, as a ‘main’ suspect on the (still secret) ‘identity’ - of Mr. Bigg !The strips are from 2004, his 6th - and last appearance, and as we note in the final panel, is escaping - running naked’In one panel we even see an ‘all too familiar’ Finger Pointing Hand, and it doesn’t take too much imagination to convince ourselves that it bears a good ‘resemblance’ - WHILE “reminding us”, that another ‘suspect’ on the list, does wear Gloves (?)

Six (main character) story “appearances” for the same villain, likely distinguishes Piggy as the *record holder in Dick Tracy

Yet, it might be worth noting that Piggy’s wife, Geedelia Bank, “beats” him with “seven” . . . appearing (solo) for a week in southern France in another Tracy tale - June, 1998Piggy was in jail - at the time !

July 2 2004

July 17 2004

July 23 2004

July 29 2004

Aug 4 2004

Aug 10 2004

Aug 11 2004

Aug 21 2004

Aug 27 2004

Gweedo said about 3 hours ago: I think he might be modeled on that detective show guy, etc._____I believe you are referring to ‘Monk’. The actor was Tony Shalhoub. Be well my friend.

@Sydney Phillips: thanks for info and comics. Be well my friend.

In the UK members of steam restoration societies amongst themselves call railfans ”Gricers”. The speaker’s tone of voice, facial expression, body language and accompanying epithets make it perfectly clear exactly what type of gricer is being referred to. The term in itself is sort of neutral and refers to people on your site usually in clean anoraks who have paid their entrance fees and have thus contributed towards restoring whatever it is you are working on and have the right to walk right up to you and say or ask absolutely anything. Sadly, there is no way of compelling them to engage their brains at any point before speaking. Take great care to make no assumptions whatsoever when you, in your greasy overalls wielding a nail gun, angle grinder, paintbrush or whatever, are about to be addressed by a gricer. You have been warned! http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=gricer____________________

I resemble that remark! I’m also a rail advocate. And I’m also a member of the National Association of Railroad Passengers. And, I’ve watched police shows all of my life.

*First rabies is a fatal disease if not treated. *-——————-Indeed it is. But rabid fans may indeed ‘foam at the mouth.’(Just a bit of word play on my part, N-G.)

@Gweedo: you are welcome my friend.

@JPuzzleWhiz: sorry about that my friend.

Tracy was perplexedLike when he tried to textHe never understood how all the words he typed got sentHe doubted that gold could flyOr wave it’s hand goodbyeHe feared the answer he did seek would not be coming nighPerhaps those left will knowWhere all the gold did goHe hope he could avoid the need to vote some off the showHis buddy OCD Though not his cup of teaMight be the only one to solve this golden mysteryLet’s start this march aheadSo soon he’ll rest his headAway from all this madness and upon his comfy bed.

.

Nigh makes me sigh and I don’t know why, bye bye!

did i see this allready